Advocate Lawyer; Childcare

Are you an experienced childcare advocate ready for a role where your expertise truly matters? Do you want to work somewhere your judgment is trusted, your development is a priority, and your contribution makes a real difference to children's lives? Barnsley Council are putting the borough on the map as a place of possibilities for people to live, work and visit.

We are an award winning Council and an award winning Legal Services team having won the Yorkshire Legal Award 2025 for Best In‑House Team. Our aim is to provide a first class legal service to the council and our contributions to the overall council objectives are recognised, respected and valued. We are recruiting for a permanent In House Advocate to work predominately within our Childcare Team and join the supportive and sociable Legal Team at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

We are seeking a qualified advocate with Higher Rights who has experience in Childcare Law from either private practice or local authority and is looking for the next step in their career. The role will sit within the childcare management team. This is an exciting opportunity to part that cares for each other and for the children of the borough.

This is not just another advocacy role. It's a chance to:

• Do the advocacy you love - representing the Council in the Family Court and High Court on the most meaningful cases in children's social care.
• Be part of the leadership group within the childcare team, helping shape practice, supporting colleagues, and influencing the service from the inside.
• Grow your career with first‑class professional development, legal assistant support, and exposure to highly complex, varied work.
• Work in a team that values people, prioritises wellbeing, and genuinely supports each other.
• Enjoy flexible, hybrid working, generous leave, LGPS pension, and a comprehensive package of flexible benefits.

• To represent the council at various Court hearings predominantly within the Family Court and High Court.
• To sit within the childcare legal management team and provide support and deputise for other managers.
• Assist with the allocation of work and personal development of the childcare legal team.
• Support the lawyers in their training and development and deputise for the principal and senior lawyers.
• Dealing with more complex care matters around adoption, injury, fatalities and matters with an international element.
• Handling a complex caseload of mainly child protection cases, deprivation of liberty applications and any associated advocacy in the Family Court.
• Advising Social Services clients in person and in writing, on all aspects of relevant legislation.
• Prepare all legal documentation relevant to the hearings / caseloads, and prepare a wide variety of court documents, advise on social care law, and assist the Senior Social Care Lawyers and Principal Lawyer in relation to the most complex or specialised matters as and when required.
• Carry out legal research.

We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know. At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate.

This post requires a Basic Criminal Record Check. Prospective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad. When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of…